Planning policy

We work with a wide range of government bodies across the UK, as well as the National Policy Planning Framework, and have a comprehensive understanding of planning law and policy.

Evidence-based planning and development advice

Our economic and technical studies have helped underpin Local Development Frameworks and development plans, and we draw on our deep knowledge of commercial property transactions to provide market context for all our planning policy advice.

We maintain the largest independent commercial property database in the UK, including details of some 70% of UK commercial property transactions, which offers an up-to-date evidence base to support or challenge development plan documents.

Our planning team can advise on all aspects of planning policy engagement. Specific services include:

Technical planning policy studies (evidence based)

Retail

Leisure

Employment land

Housing land supply

Development briefs

Planning policy engagement

Local plan monitoring

Local plan representations

Site allocations

Round table discussions

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)

Examination in Public (EIP)

Preparing for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charges

We have also worked with authorities in developing their community infrastructure charges including managing the process, public consultation, infrastructure needs assessment and testing the viability of proposed CIL charges.

News, research and views

News and research

South Bucks District Council Call for Sites 2015

South Bucks District Council is embarking on preparation of the Local Plan which will guide development in the district until 2036.Read moreSee all news

LSH expands East region planning and development consultancy

Lambert Smith Hampton has expanded its planning and development consultancy in the East region with two key appointments.Read moreSee all news

Offices to residential conversion opportunity welcomed

Developers have a window of opportunity to avoid building affordable housing under a new Government policy allowing the conversion of offices to residential without planning permission...Read moreSee all news

Promise of planning action welcomed

The Prime Minister’s pledge to put reforms of the planning system at the heart of the drive for economic growth has to be greeted with cautious optimism.

Communities drive sustainability forward

The Localism Act 2011 legislates for the place-shaping agenda espoused by Sir Michael Lyons in his controversial 2007 report on community empowerment.Read moreSee all news

Retail pain: Planners and landlords need to act to prevent the demise of the high street

The collapse of many major retail chains mean that planners need to focus on alternative uses and regeneration to ensure that the lifeblood does not flow out of city and town centres.
Sean Prigmore,...Read moreSee all news